BLM signs Decision Record to prune ailing cottonwood trees at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area
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For Immediate Release
Date: March 23, 2017
TUCSON, Ariz. – Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tucson Field Office released its plan to prune two ailing cottonwood trees located in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. With the potential for catastrophic trunk failure, falling branches present hazards to public safety and facilities.
After conducting two public scoping periods and completing an environmental assessment, Field Manager Melissa Warren signed the Decision Record that implements the Proposed Action that provides for visitor and worker safety at the San Pedro House while avoiding or reducing negative impacts to recreational, visual, wildlife, and cultural and social values.
Specific actions include pruning the Eastern and Western Trees, fencing the Western Tree and historic water tower, excluding public use from the fenced area, constructing an interpretive panel, bracing the tree limb resting on the historic railroad tie cabin, abandoning 100 linear feet of garden pathway, and removing temporary fencing. The two trees will be pruned periodically to maintain the effectiveness of the safety closure and to protect the San Pedro House. Work will be completed between October 1st and February 14th to avoid impacts to the yellow-billed cuckoo and the western screech-owl.
The decision, located at http://bit.ly/SanPedroTree, takes effect immediately, though any person whose interest is adversely affected may appeal the decision to the Interior Board of Land Appeals. The appeal must be filed within 30 days after the date the proposed decision becomes final or 30 days after receipt of the final decision. Notices of Appeal must be in writing and must be hand delivered, mailed, or faxed to: Project Lead Dan Moore, BLM Tucson, 3201 E. Universal Way, Tucson, AZ 85756 (FAX: 520-258-7238). Requests cannot be accepted via email, voicemail, or other electronic means.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.